Introduction On this page you will learn about crops,myths, farming tools, and materials from traditional Sherpa culture. We got our information from: Through a Sherpa Window Lhakpa Norbu Sherpa Published in 2008
Crops and Wild Food Myth
In the traditional Sherpa culture, there was a ritual called chhokor or osho rites. It was performed for the protection of their crops when they were at their most vulnerable stage. Osho rites were performed by the village lamas and farmers together. It is a procession that is organized to go clockwise around the villages, carrying a statue of a protector diety, religious texts, and banners. This ritual was very important to the Sherpas. They really did believe that this would help the crops.This was performed when crops needed protection. It was done to prevent hailstorms and frosts.
(Kennady)
this is a "zhing" or cropfield
Grown in Nepal
The crops that could be grown and collected were very limited for the Sherpa culture in the 1970's and before. The Sherpa's main crop was the potato (rigi). It was one of the only crops that could grow in the rocky soil of Nepal. Potatoes were introduced to the Nepal around 200 years ago. Another crop that was grown was buckwheat (thrau). It was the second most grown crop, right behind potatoes. Buckwheat needed very careful livestock management, because even a grazing animal could destroy a whole year's worth of buckwheat. Other crops that were grown or collected included radish (lauk), spinach (petsu), peas (shrelma), grain (dru), maize (litsi), finger millet (gyar), wheat (thra), rice (draa), and more.
(Joanna)
Harvesting the Sherpa Way
Farmers in the Khumbu Valley forty years ago had a special way of harvesting. The potato was the main crop, and was only grown in the summer. Soil was prepared by being composted, and then mixed with dung (chey). The seeds were planted by two people- one digging and covering the holes, and one placing the seeds into the holes. A curved weeding tool, called a koma, was used to weed the potato plants when they were at least several inches tall. Potato harvest started late in the monsoon, which was from August to October. Harvesting was done by using a sickle, which is a sharp, curved tool.
(Olivia) Please Ask: an older person What do you use to fertilize the crops? Please ask: an older person Have you been able to expand the variety of crops you are able to grow in your lifetime? Please ask: a Khumjung School student Do you eat wild food today, and if so, how do you know if its safe?
On this page you will learn about crops,myths, farming tools,
and materials from traditional Sherpa culture. We got our information from:
Through a Sherpa Window
Lhakpa Norbu Sherpa
Published in 2008
Crops and Wild Food Myth
In the traditional Sherpa culture, there was a ritual called chhokor or osho rites. It was performed for the protection of their crops when they were at their most vulnerable stage. Osho rites were performed by the village lamas and farmers together. It is a procession that is organized to go clockwise around the villages, carrying a statue of a protector diety, religious texts, and banners. This ritual was very important to the Sherpas. They really did believe that this would help the crops.This was performed when crops needed protection. It was done to prevent hailstorms and frosts.
(Kennady)
Grown in Nepal
The crops that could be grown and collected were very limited for the Sherpa culture in the 1970's and before. The Sherpa's main crop was the potato (rigi). It was one of the only crops that could grow in the rocky soil of Nepal. Potatoes were introduced to the Nepal around 200 years ago. Another crop that was grown was buckwheat (thrau). It was the second most grown crop, right behind potatoes. Buckwheat needed very careful livestock management, because even a grazing animal could destroy a whole year's worth of buckwheat. Other crops that were grown or collected included radish (lauk), spinach (petsu), peas (shrelma), grain (dru), maize (litsi), finger millet (gyar), wheat (thra), rice (draa), and more.
(Joanna)
Harvesting the Sherpa Way
Farmers in the Khumbu Valley forty years ago had a special way of harvesting. The potato was the main crop, and was only grown in the summer. Soil was prepared by being composted, and then mixed with dung (chey). The seeds were planted by two people- one digging and covering the holes, and one placing the seeds into the holes. A curved weeding tool, called a koma, was used to weed the potato plants when they were at least several inches tall. Potato harvest started late in the monsoon, which was from August to October. Harvesting was done by using a sickle, which is a sharp, curved tool.
(Olivia)
Please Ask: an older person
What do you use to fertilize the crops?
Please ask: an older person
Have you been able to expand the variety of crops you are able to grow in your lifetime?
Please ask: a Khumjung School student
Do you eat wild food today, and if so, how do you know if its safe?
Beautiful Kitchen from Dream Flag Project on Vimeo.
In this video you see a typical Sherpa kitchen and everything that is needed to cook, and prepare a meal.
This video relates to the topic of Crops and Wildfood becasue after the crops are harvested, the kitchen is where they are turned into a meal.